the sharpened bamboo staks were sometimes coated in feces so soldiers not only faced the immediate pain of the puncture wound but also a high likelihood of severe infections the sticks were often placed in camouflaged pits where an unsuspecting Soldier would accidentally step into them driving the sharp bamboo deep into their feet and legs another tactic involved laying boards over a pit as the boards snapped the sticks would spring up penetrating The Soldier's leg
